PICTURE CANYON Planning Riparian-Wetland Refugia in an Urban Setting Rio De Flag
Existing Conditions. Ephemeral stream; Limited riparian plants, habitats.. & Opportunities Water (effluent) available Restore historic riparian habitats Broad community support
Objectives Restore proper stream processes Restore channel meander and floodplain function Create additional wetland and backwater areas Control noxious weeds Restore native riparian vegetation and habitat Provide recreational, educational and aesthetic benefits
Reach 1 and Reach 2 CANYON REACH Project Area: 60 acres Length of Stream: 1 mile Acres of Riparian Habitat: 15 acres
Channelized Rio de Flag and Meanders Abandoned No access to floodplain No spreading of flood flows Problem Minimial riparian vegetation Lack of habitat complexity Noxious weeds dominate
Problem Severe noxious weed invasion threatens the ecological integrity of the area
REACH 1 Solution Construct pond at upstream end of reach Create effluent stream channel and riparian wetland Plant native wetland and riparian plants
REACH 2 Solution Reconnect channel to its floodplain by: Restoring the effective cross-section Restoring the original meander alignment Fill dredged channel leaving downstream backwater areas Plant native wetland and riparian plants
Coconino County NAU Centennial Forest Arizona Water Protection Fund Arizona State Land Department City of Flagstaff Natural Resource Conservation Service Natural Channel Design AZ Game and Fish NAU Ecological Restoration Institute Museum of Northern Arizona Coconino National Forest Rupestrian CyberServices Wildcat Hill Wastewater Facility (COF) Northern Arizona Trail Runners Association Picture Canyon Partnership Private Landowners Friends of Flagstaff s Future Flagstaff Biking Organization Open Space Commission NAU Audubon Society US Fish and Wildlife Service Coconino Natural Resource Conservation District
Channel-Floodplain Features Noxious Weed Management Plan Re-vegetation Plan Fencing Plan Monitoring Plan Public Outreach Plan Picture Canyon Strategic Cooperative Planning
Earthwork Activities channel filling, bank sloping, meander restoration. In addition: garbage removal/spoils, trail construction.
Structural Components Structural components include: bank protection (toe rock), grade stabilization (rock weir), water control structures (inlet boxes). In addition: Pedestrian bridge relocation Riparian fencing, additional toe protection (brush revetment, erosion logs), temporary irrigation system, off-channel watering).
Integrated Weed Management Planning and implementation Treatments Revegetation Ongoing management... to achieve desirable plant communities.
Mapping weed areas Yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis) Bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare) Scotch thistle (Onopordum acanthium) Cheatgrass or Downy brome (Bromus tectorum) Dalmatian toadflax (Linaria genistifolia ssp. dalmatica) Diffuse knapweed (Centauria diffusa) other undesirable species.
Revegetation Plan Grass Plantings Wetland Plantings Shrub Plantings Tree Plantings Temporary Irrigation System Reseed and mulch all disturbed and weed control areas!! Future vegetation - willows, cottonwoods, native riparian & upland plants
Benefits Urban stream projects: Functioning riparian systems Increased habitat Increased recreational opportunities Increased educational opportunities Increased public awareness of riparian habitat importance
Refugia With the threat of drought and increasing temperatures Urban projects augmented by effluent or other water sources Can provide valuable refugia for native riparian plant communities.
Planning & Coordination Projects require as much political as technical expertise. Can be slow and frustrating Are essential to success.
City of Flagstaff Arizona State Land Department Technical consultants: Tom Moody, P.E. Stephanie Yard, P.E Natural Channel Design, Inc. Flagstaff, AZ